Archive for the ‘Marriage’ Category

Why is it so hard to be present? I struggle to be fully present when playing with Judah boy. Fully present when talking with the hubs. Fully present when reading a book. Fully present when taking time to think. I find my mind wandering. My heart wandering. Yet longing to get back to the moment at hand. I need to train my mind

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to focus on what’s happening right now. I need to intentionally prevent myself from getting distracted…like leaving the iphone or computer out of reach. I want to embrace the moment. I want to be playful. I want to get caught up in the interaction between me and my loves. I want to smile when I think back on the day because it’s happening are so vivid to me because I was immersed in them. On the surface of me there are so many things that call for my attention yet deep down I want to run from all the noise and find simplicity. This will not be easy but I want to do it.

Prayer is important. Most people will agree with that. But with the daily demands of work, family and life, praying for your family can easily get laid on the back burner of things to pray for. Before we moved into our new house I had a list of things that I would pray for for my hubby taped on my bathroom mirror. As I was getting ready in the morning I would refer to my list and keep my hubby in prayer daily. I found the list and am going to once again tape it up on my mirror. Now it won’t just be me praying for A but it will be Judah and I – since Judah is usually crawling around the bathroom as I’m getting ready in the morning. Here are some things to pray for your spouse that you can print out and post up somewhere you see often.

Lifting my Husband through prayer

Give him strength to lead (Joshua 1:7), time to know his family (John 10:14), and a passion to manage his home (1 Timothy 3:4)

Bless his work and show him daily how to honor You in his attitude and spirit; confirm the work of his hands unto your purpose (Psalm 90:16-17, Daniel 6)

Let him be a wise steward of our finances and all we possess; remembering that all things are Your and entrusted to us for Your purposes (Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 16:10-13)

He will love you with all his heart, soul, mind and strength and hate evil (Mark 12:30, Psalm 97:10)

He will be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19)

For Christmas my hubby gave me an NIV/Message Parallel Bible and I love to read it. Since I have been studying womanhood and have been reading Proverbs – Proverbs 31 in the Message version has spoken so much to me. It is an encouragement and a challenge for me to know that God is pleased by my efforts and yet recognize that I’m still a work in progress as He molds me into a great woman, wife and mom. I’m so glad I’m not trying to figure this out all on my own but have the creator of it all leading me.

Everything in the word is good but I’ve highlighted some verses that are resonating within me.

Proverbs 31:10-31

A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.

Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.

Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.

She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.

She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.

She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.

She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.

She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.

She’s quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.

She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.

She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.

Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.

She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.

Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.

When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.

She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.

Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:

On June 16 I will have been married to my wonderful husband Aaron for 3 years. The old adage that “time flies” is oh so true. Our first year of marriage was a time of adjustment. We had our biggest fights and we both learned so much about each other. Our second year we were both committed to discovering how to have a Biblical marriage. We read a lot of books together and focused on communicating our needs and thoughts – that wasn’t always easy seeing how we’re both pretty opinionated, but we learned. Our third year ushered in the purchase of our first home and our first son, Judah. Aside from those great experiences, our third year of marriage has been about putting into practice what we have learned over the last two years about marriage and each other. Now, I realize that it’s only been 3 years and that’s a drop in the bucket compared to the years we have ahead of us, but I am proud of where God has brought us and it is only by His grace that we are here. Now I find myself not so focused on how to better my marriage as a couple, but how to better myself as a wife. What does God say about being a wife, mom, and keeper of my home. So this is the journey I am on. And I am excited about discovering God’s purpose for me in this, but also feel the weight of re-learning the truth about womanhood from God’s perspective.